From JOHNSON NONGU, Makurdi
A former Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Mr. Terver Atu, has said he resigned from the Benue State Government after working for close to a year without salary, alongside what he described as administrative neglect, redesignation of his appointment, and sustained financial hardship.
Atu made the allegations in a video message posted on his official Facebook page shortly after announcing his resignation from the administration.
“I worked for close to a year without salary,” he said, adding that he remained in office despite prolonged financial strain and personal sacrifices made in support of the government.
He said the situation worsened after he was informed that his position had been changed from Principal Special Assistant to Special Assistant, a development he claimed was not properly communicated and had significant financial implications.
According to him, the redesignation came as a shock and disrupted arrangements he had made based on the original terms of his appointment, including financial obligations he had already undertaken.
Atu alleged that attempts to reach Governor Hyacinth Alia after learning of the change were unsuccessful, saying he sent messages and made calls without receiving responses.
He said he was later advised within official circles to accept the decision, with suggestions that the adjustment reflected a directive from higher levels of the administration.
The former aide also alleged that during his tenure, he faced additional personal difficulties, including accommodation challenges and a kidnapping incident, which he said were compounded by what he described as insufficient institutional support.
He claimed that in the aftermath of the kidnapping, unfavourable narratives were circulated suggesting he had staged the incident, an allegation he said deepened his frustration with how his situation was handled.
Atu further said he had left a stable job in the aviation sector before joining government service, a decision he said was influenced by his commitment to supporting the administration. He added that he and his family made financial sacrifices during his time in office, including personal expenditure on political and public engagements.
“I cried that day,” he said, while recalling what he described as moments of distress linked to his accommodation situation.
He maintained that his resignation should not be interpreted as political hostility toward the governor, but as the outcome of accumulated financial and personal pressures.
Atu also disclosed that he had recently visited the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, where he said he offered an apology for past public criticisms made during his time in government.
As of press time, the Benue State Government had not issued a response to the allegations contained in his resignation account.